Colorado Springs News, Sports & Business

Economy is based on tax dollars; flooding concerns

Springs economy is tax dollars
Re: "Cities with massive pension debts": How easy it is for this area to put itself on a pedestal?
Since World War II, this area has significantly benefited from the federal taxpayer. It exists in its current state because of federal tax dollars. It's a federal...

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Re: "Cities with massive pension debts": How easy it is for this area to put itself on a pedestal?

2 photos
+ captionCaroline Stratton, 10, front row left, and her sisters Jackie, 7; Maddie, 16, and brother Will, 13, march with the Cadet Squadron 37 to lunch while being a Cadet for a Day at Air Force Academy Friday, Oct. 15, 2010. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

Since World War II, this area has significantly benefited from the federal taxpayer. It exists in its current state because of federal tax dollars. It's a federal government town, with thousands of federal employees, contractors, military personnel, and retirees.

The Colorado Springs economy is tax dollars. What if it wasn't here? What if the Air Force Academy hadn't located here? For that matter, what if the Air Force Academy decided their location is too dangerous due to potential fires? What are we going to do if sequester continues and the military continues its draw down over the next decade - NORAD, the Army, the Air Force? The very existence of this town is due to politicians making sure those tax dollars rain down on it. Pray that it continues.

William Pratt, Colorado Springs

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A voice of reason emerges

Finally, just when I thought the entire world had gone crazy, a voice of reason emerges. I refer to Rich Lowry's column "Sure, let's all a have a conversation about race in America" in The Gazette. He is one of just a handful of columnists who dared to disagree with what has quickly become the "politically correct" version of the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin case. His column was by far the best, outlining all the evidence that it seems the African-American community has ignored.

They say that Martin was killed only because he was black. The evidence says that Martin was killed because he attacked Zimmerman.

A jury acquitted Zimmerman, and they did so without knowing that Martin used drugs, loved to fight, and was trying to buy a gun, evidence that the judge decided wouldn't be allowed.

Comparing Martin to Emmett Till is an injustice to Emmett Till, whose only "crime" was to whistle at a white woman!

Yes, we need more discussions on race, but the face of Trayvon Martin should not be used as a catalyst!

Sheila Lockwood, Colorado Springs

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A racially motivated prosecution

My thoughts on the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin incident: It was a racially motivated prosecution. If it had been a black-on-black or white-on-white incident it would have never gone to trial and probably very few people outside of Florida would have ever heard of it. Trayvon was profiled because he was black and followed because he had been profiled, but he was shot because he was slamming someone's head on the pavement. President Obama said it could have been him 35 years ago. Was the President to be Obama slamming someone's head on the pavement 35 years ago?

Maurice Cutting, Colorado Springs

'I'll be sure to wave at Sox the Fox'

Thanks for the great articles and insight regarding the Camp Creek 31st Street ditch. A study, an investigation in to the creek's hydrology, proposals, engineering studies for drainage improvements, a Garden of the Gods Master Plan change, finding more funding ... it never ends! Bureaucracy rules here!!

It's not a big concern for Pleasant Valley residents like me, it's life or death for us! It's flat out critical that the city get off its butt and get this project going.

How can it possibly take until "after the summer of 2014" to get this long-overdue new Camp Creek drainage started? Instead, let's find funding for nonsense projects like a downtown Triple-A baseball stadium. I'll be sure to wave at Sox the Fox as my home floats past the new stadium. Keep up the great reporting!

Steve Bartley, Colorado Springs

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Preserving Colorado Springs history

Colorado Springs is scenic and modern - yet filled with history.

One of the city's most historic citizens was born in 1911 in the month of July - so it seems a perfect time to remember Dominico Venetucci, the "Pumpkin Man" of Colorado Springs.

For more than 50 years, Nick grew thousands of pumpkins on his farm . then gave them away to local school children who came to the farm to find their perfect pumpkin. In later years Nick and his wife Bambi generously gave over the farm to the Pikes Peak Community Foundation.

Will your children visit the Venetucci Farm this October? The pumpkins will be waiting.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the farm managers, workers, interns and volunteers, pumpkins and vegetables are growing in the Venetucci fields. Lots of good things are happening at the farm!

Take a moment to sign in to ppcf.org and share the story of Nick Venetucci and his annual pumpkin giveaways with your children. Help raise the new barn to shelter the farm's many animals. Support the summer programs for kids and become a volunteer.